Product Development Manager

Roles and responsibilities

• Formulation of ingredient/process recipes and product-related procedures
• Building relation with suppliers to explore new ingredients and technologies for new products and ingredient matching purposes
• Preparation and update technical specifications and product declarations
• Follow up on matters relating to recipe, procedures, equipment, and quality on new products after commercial trials
• Conduct laboratory scale trials and supervise pilot plant trials
• Updating records of planning and status reports of activities
• Taking lead role in troubleshooting exercises
• Developing new product concepts and prototypes
• Conducting product testing and evaluation
• Ensuring that new products meet KDD`s quality standards
• Complying with all relevant regulations

Required Qualification

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of Food / Dairy Technology.
• Work Experience: Minimum required experience of 7 years of experience in the field of food innovation/development

Required Professional Skills:

• Strong project management skills to oversee the development of new products from concept to launch Knowledge of quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Capability to evaluate product performance and testing results
• Ability to prepare and update technical specifications and product declarations
• Experience in exploring new ingredients and technologies
• Ability to develop new product concepts and prototypes
• Creativity in improving and re-engineering existing products
• Keen attention to detail in every aspect of product development
• Ensuring accuracy and compliance in all documentation and processes
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including R&D, marketing, and production
• Understanding of relevant regulations and standards in the food industry

Desired candidate profile

1. Research and Development (R&D) Skills

• Product Conceptualization: Identifying new product ideas based on market research, customer feedback, and trends in the industry.
• Innovation: Developing new products or improving existing ones to meet changing customer needs, environmental concerns, or technological advancements.
• Prototyping: Creating prototypes of new products, testing their functionality, and refining the design based on testing results.
• Formulation: Developing product formulations, whether it's a food recipe, cosmetic formula, or a chemical compound, ensuring the product meets quality standards and regulatory guidelines.

2. Technical and Analytical Skills

• Lab Testing: Conducting laboratory experiments to test ingredients, raw materials, or products, and analyzing the results for consistency, safety, and performance.
• Product Testing: Designing and implementing testing protocols to assess the functionality, durability, or safety of products.
• Data Analysis: Analyzing test data, market trends, and customer feedback to inform the product development process and make data-driven decisions.
• Process Optimization: Identifying opportunities to streamline production processes, improve efficiency, and reduce waste during product development.

3. Knowledge of Industry Standards and Regulations

• Compliance with Regulations: Knowledge of relevant industry regulations (e.g., food safety standards, environmental laws, cosmetics regulations) to ensure products meet legal requirements.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring that products meet industry standards for quality, safety, and performance. This includes understanding certifications, audits, and testing requirements for the specific industry.

4. Project Management Skills

• Timeline Management: Managing product development timelines, ensuring that projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with teams across departments (marketing, design, production, etc.) to ensure that the product meets all technical, commercial, and regulatory requirements.
• Resource Allocation: Managing resources effectively, ensuring that materials, equipment, and personnel are available to meet development goals.

5. Product and Market Knowledge

• Consumer Insights: Understanding consumer needs, behaviors, and preferences through market research, surveys, and focus groups.
• Trend Identification: Staying up-to-date on industry trends, consumer demands, and new technologies to anticipate market shifts and inform product development.
• Competitive Analysis: Analyzing competitors' products to identify gaps, opportunities for differentiation, and areas of improvement for new or existing products.

6. Testing and Quality Control

• Prototype Testing: Conducting rigorous testing on prototypes to ensure they meet the functional, aesthetic, and performance expectations before scaling up for full production.
• Stability and Shelf-Life Testing: For certain industries (e.g., food, pharmaceuticals), performing stability tests to determine how the product holds up over time, ensuring it remains safe and effective.
• Troubleshooting: Addressing and resolving any technical or quality-related issues that arise during the product development phase.

7. Communication and Collaboration Skills

• Clear Communication: Articulating product development processes, testing results, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Working with marketing, manufacturing, and design teams to ensure the product aligns with business goals, is manufacturable, and is market-ready.
• Customer Focus: Translating customer needs and feedback into actionable prod